Aim: Knowledge of wound bioburden can help guide selection of optimal therapies, for example, negative pressure wound therapy devices (NPWT) with instillation of wound cleansers in a heavily contaminated wound. Fluorescence imaging can visualize red-fluorescing, pathogenic bacteria in real-time using a non-contact, hand held device1. We used this imaging device to detect bioburden in inpatients undergoing negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT).

Method: Three wounds with diverse etiologies were imaged with the device at various stages of healing. Wounds positive for red fluorescence signal were considered to be contaminated with bacteria.

Results: Bacterial fluorescence was detected under sealed, optically-transparent (routine) adhesive prior to dressing changes (Figure), on foam dressings, within the wound bed, and on peri-wound tissues. Bacterial visualization in real-time helped to guide: (1) bioburden-based, personalized treatment regimens, (2) clinician selection of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) with or without instillation of wound cleansers and (3) the extent and location of wound cleaning during dressing changes. The ability to visualize bacteria prior to removal of dressings led to expedited dressing changes when heavy bioburden was detected and postponement of dressing changes for 24 hours when red fluorescence was not observed, avoiding unnecessary disturbance of the wound bed.